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Health Risks Related to COPD

Having COPD increases your risk for other health problems. Find out about the complications of COPD and how to stay as healthy as possible.

A long-lasting cough and shortness of breath are two hallmark symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of lung diseases that block your airflow and make it difficult for you to breathe. But did you know that COPD can cause health problems that go beyond the lungs? Complications of COPD can also affect your bones, your heart, and even your emotional health.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the main lung diseases that make up COPD, the third-leading cause of death in the United States. Many people with COPD have both of these conditions. There is currently no cure, but you can slow the progression of COPD by giving up cigarettes, if you smoke, and following your doctor’s plan for treatment. The more severe your COPD is, the more likely you are to develop complications of COPD.

Complications of COPD

In COPD, inflammation brought on by smoking or another irritant leads to structural changes in the lungs. This inflammation can spread to other parts of the body and contributes to other health problems, says Barry Make, MD, a pulmonologist and professor of medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver. Some of the common complications of COPD include:

Pneumonia. People with lung disease are more susceptible to getting pneumonia and other lung infections, and there are several factors that link COPD and pneumonia, says R. Scott Harris, MD, a pulmonologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. First, smoke destroys the tiny hairs (cilia) that line the lungs and are responsible for helping move out mucus, making it harder to cough up phlegm. Also, COPD makes the lungs less flexible, so the cough mechanism becomes less effective, Dr. Harris says. That means that lung infections are more common in people with COPD. These infections are also a leading cause of a COPD exacerbation, a worsening of the disease. To counter this, it’s important to get an annual flu shot and a pneumonia vaccination to protect yourself.

Osteoporosis. Thinning of the bones is a complication of COPD that's as prevalent in men with the lung disease as it is in women, Dr. Make says. Smoking and physical inactivity, especially in the later stages of COPD, can lead to bone loss. Oral or intravenous steroids, which are used to treat COPD exacerbations, can also contribute to osteoporosis, Harris adds. Additionally, it’s important to drink alcohol in moderation — one drink or fewer a day for women and two or fewer a day for men — because alcohol can also play a role in osteoporosis. Alcohol paired with cigarettes is especially harmful for bones.

Depression. Dealing with a chronic illness like COPD can lead to depression. You might not be as active as you once were, and your overall quality of life can suffer, Make says. If you’re feeling depressed, ask your doctor if talk therapy or an antidepressant medication might be right for you. Also try to get regular exercise as you can — physical activity is a natural mood-booster and can help strengthen lung function.

Sleep trouble. Insomnia and other sleep problems are common complications of COPD. You may struggle to get good sleep due to trouble breathing while lying down, depression and anxiety, or COPD medications that act as stimulants, keeping you awake. First, make sure you’re setting the stage for rest by sleeping in a cool, comfortable room and abstaining from caffeine after 5 p.m. Make also suggests not eating two or three hours before bed to avoid indigestion, and limiting liquids so you won’t have to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Talk to your doctor if you suspect that your COPD medication is interfering with your sleep. If you’re on oxygen therapy, using it at night may help you sleep more soundly.

High blood pressure. COPD can also lead to high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to your lungs, a condition called pulmonary hypertension. “This puts a strain on the right side of your heart, which pumps blood through your lungs,” Harris explains. To help prevent pulmonary hypertension, make sure your doctor checks your oxygen levels with a fingertip pulse oximeter. You can also keep track it at home — the device can be purchased online for about $30. If your oxygen level is lower than 88 percent, your doctor will likely prescribe oxygen therapy for you.

Heart problems. Having COPD increases your risk for heart disease and heart attack. And the nicotine in cigarettes can cause even further damage to your coronary arteries. If you smoke, work with your doctor to stop.

Cancer. People with COPD are also at risk for developing lung cancer, and the more advanced the lung disease, the higher the risk. Stopping smoking and controlling COPD in its early stages can help prevent lung cancer. In addition, people with COPD may be at risk for developing other forms of cancer, Harris says. He suggests getting regular screenings to catch cancer early, when it’s often most treatable.

About COPD and Heart Disease

People with COPD usually don’t die a “respiratory death,” Harris says. After cancer, heart disease is the second-biggest killer of people with COPD. So make sure you also keep your heart as healthy as possible by getting your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help improve both your heart and your lungs. And if lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor can prescribe medications to help lower high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

By being aware of the possible complications of COPD, you can work with your doctor to ensure that these other health problems are kept in check. Although living with COPD can be challenging, making good lifestyle choices and sticking with your COPD treatment plan are strong steps you can take to stay as healthy as you can.

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